Piles

Abstract

A method of supporting a structure comprises driving a pile casing through a hold in a structure to be supported until the leading end of the pile casing reaches its desired position and thereafter introducing a cutter into the top of the pile casing, positioning a cutting element of said cutter to a location at or near the lower surface of the structure to be supported, actuating the cutter to cut off the pile above said location so that the unwanted top portion of the pile can then be removed and introducing concrete into the pile casing and hole through the structure.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of supporting a structure comprising: driving a pile casing through a hole in the structure to be supported until the leading end of the pile casing reaches a desired position, and   introducing a cutter into the top of the pile casing and positioning a cutting element of said cutter at a location at or near the lower surface of the structure to be supported,   actuating the cutter to cut off the pile casing above said location so that the top portion of the pile can be removed, and   introducing concrete into the pile casing and hole through the structure.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein the cutting is carried out by a rotary mechanical cutter having a cutting blade. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 wherein the cutting is carried out by a rotary spark eroder. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 wherein the cutting is carried out by a rotary flame cutter. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 wherein the cutting is carried out by a hot wire cutter. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1 wherein the cutting is carried out by an explosive cutter. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 1 wherein the cutting is carried out by an expanding jaw cutter. 
     
     
       8. A method of supporting a structure comprising: driving a pile casing to a desired depth below the structure,   introducing a cutter into the top of the pile casing to position a cutting element of said cutter at a desired location relative to the structure,   actuating the cutter to cut the pile casing at said location,   removing the upper portion of the pile casing cut of above said location, and   introducing a cementitious material into the pile casing and between said location and structure.   
     
     
       9. The method of claim 8 wherein the cutting is carried out by a rotary mechanical cutter having a cutting blade. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 8 wherein the cutting is carried out by a rotary spark eroder. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 8 wherein the cutting is carried out by a rotary flame cutter. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 8 wherein the cutting is carried out by a hot wire cutter. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 8 wherein the cutting is carried out by an explosive cutter. 
     
     
       14. The method of claim 8 wherein the cutting is carried out by an expanding jaw cutter.